Tannadice defender Ryan McGowan was dismissed by referee Calum Murray in the closing minutes for a lunge at Liam Henderson, moments after Hoops forward Anthony Stokes had walked after reacting to a challenge from Paul Paton by lashing out at the United midfielder.

Asked if some aggro was inevitable in light of Celtic’s superiority, the Hoops and Scotland keeper said: “Possibly. It is never nice to lose and if you are on the back of a couple of losses it does irritate you.

“As professional players, that is what is going to happen.

“You are going to get annoyed by the fact that you haven’t won in a couple of games.

“It is unfortunate it has happened but this is another game and if we have to try to win the battles to win the game then that’s what has to happen.

“I have not been involved in any of the incidents. I have been well out the way out of it.

“And there hasn’t been animosity there, certainly not towards me, everything has been fine.

“We have to concentrate on our game, keep our discipline and keep as many players on the pitch as we can.”